One word that came up several times in the historic Apple meeting transcript was that the next MacPro was going to be a modular system. Ok, we all read that.
But what wasn't clarified (understandably) was what that modularity would be.
If you look up any definition of a modular computer, the definition always describes a computer system in which the components are separate entities or modules. The cMP is not considered a modular computer. Neither is the HP-Z.
"A modular PC is a computer that has individually-housed components, which are interconnected but separately removable for service or upgrading.
The format means that users can replace most components themselves because replacing a component does not require them to open enclosures, such as PC cases, or touch ESD-sensitive circuit boards."
Another point that was mentioned was that Apple found that THEY couldn't upgrade the nMP due to its design and that they wanted a new design that THEY could upgrade more easily & frequently in the future.
There was no hint or talk or mention of making the new modular MacPro a system in which the CUSTOMER could buy something at NewEgg & slap it in the box to upgrade. That wasn't the feeling I got at all.
Based on Apple's current trend of locking everything down to Apple-only proprietary parts, my guess (and it's only a guess based on an assumption — zero facts) is that this new modular MacPro will indeed have easily swappable "modules", but all these modules will all be Apple proprietary parts that will be easy for THEM to upgrade in the future and for us to plug in.
This could be great if we can afford the stuff and they truly alter the course of their history of pro hardware neglect by keeping everything cutting edge & up to date, but it is doubtful this new modular MacPro will be similar to anything currently available on the market and the only upgrade path for CUSTOMERS will most very likely be via one path only: Through the Apple Store.
I'd suppose they'd want to be able to offer annual updates which is what the Pros want, but with parts you have to source from Apple. By routing all graphics through the USB-C ports you don't ever get a traditional PCIe graphics card that you could buy off the shelf you rather a daughter card that plugs into a motherboard and works more like a compute unit rather than a classic graphics card with DVI, Displayport, Mini Displayport and VGA ports on it.
Not a lot of software would have used dual GPUs to their fullest extent and some professionals wouldn't have even wanted one GPU - never mind 2. And let's not forget that software that isn't aware of dual GPUs would leave one GPU as an underemployed screen renderer with the other GPU doing all the 'hard work'.
If Apple choose to solder everything onto the motherboard it would be a very expensive thing for them to replace (under an Apple Care warranty for example) if one component failed so for supply chain reasons it makes sense for a Pro product to have 'modular' components, especially one they intend to sell in more volume than the 2013 Mac Pro if they reduce the entry price to gain sales from those 'pro' Mini users.
Now, RAM should come slotted for easy upgrades and replacements. We can expect Apple to get proprietary with SSD to prevent folks from buying up cheaper Samsung 960 Pro sticks, it'd be nice to have internal SATA 3 ports for hard drives that users can upgrade.
I wonder if Apple would actually supply base Pros with 32Gb of Optane SSD to run the OS and then allow storage tiering (super Fusion drive) with more standard fitment M.2 SSDs or hard drives in drive bays?
If the mMP has an integrated graphics only option it might suit a lot of people whose workflows don't need GPUs but I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple-only GPU options due in part to the need to use USB-C as the connector standard which could also route data traffic as well. With GPUs moving on more often than Intel CPUs you can offer a 'speed bump' GPU configuration while keeping the basic CPU model the same.
To encourage Mini users to upgrade to a Mac Pro, Apple would simply make it their most 'energy efficient' model and load it with 15w CPUs from the non touch bar Macbook Pros. This might allow Apple to make it even
smaller and perhaps power all of them directly from the 4k LG monitor.
The base modular Mac Pro would come with integrated graphics, a Xeon E3, and 4 USB-C ports and aimed solidly at musicians, scientists, and programmers. With less to cool, could it also be the
quietest Mac Pro if special heat sinks and slow fans or sound deadening were options?
Higher end models would have the extra GPU options and probably Xeon E5 CPUs with the highest end allowing dual CPU options to return for the video editors, renderers, compute scientists etc. It would be the
most powerful iteration. And obviously the most expensive.
And clearly any press from these would imply a road map going ahead even if they don't actually describe one. For example, explaining how it would be relatively easier for people like Nvidia to offer GPU daughter card options annually through Apple. Similarly for AMD (who might provide the 'standard' GPUs).
They'd also show how users can replace what they consider to be commodity parts that can fail themselves - RAM, storage, and maybe even PCIe x4 cards?
